166
LETTERS
FOR
MARKING .
"I left her house that evening frantic, almost } dying-I must have his pardon first. From the cursing her and myself, and vowing to go away king himself I obtained permission to visit the forever. I started for my lodgings, but half captive. I found him in a dungeon, chained way there I turned back ; for hours I wandered hand and foot. He knew me at once ; before I near her dwelling, impelled to do so by the mad could speak he lifted his voice and cursed me. 'I shall die at last, ' he said ; then I will haunt passion which had taken possession of me. "It must have been long after midnight when you. I will force Margharetta to pursue youI saw a man steal through the little court-yard you shall have no peace-no home- no friends.' "I cannot repeat his words- I fell fainting of her habitation , which was situated upon the ground floor of a deserted old dwelling. I fol- before he had finished. For several years I lowed in his footsteps, saw the door open, saw wandered aimlessly about. At last my house Margharetta admit him. Then I understood became filled with fearful sounds . I knew that all-she was faithless ! My first impulse was Paolo was dead. Since that time I have had no to rush in and kill him before her eyes ; but I peace. Go where I might those horrors folchecked it. I crept round to a little balcony lowed. People shunned me as one accursed ; over which I climbed , and through the window only that faithful old couple clung to me. I draperies could look into the chamber. Mar- came to America, there was no escape ! Night gharetta was standing with her head upon the after night the murdered man stood before me, shoulder of the young man, his arms were about dragging Margharetta by the hand. I thought her waist, and she was weeping passionately. at last I was forgiven. With death near, I be'You must not come again,' she said ; ' think if lieved that I might send for some of my own kindred ; but the consolation of having you near you were seen-the officers would arrest you.' "Like lightning a fiendish plot shot through me without any of those terrible sights or sounds my brain; I could punish her more terribly than was not permitted . "They will come once more, perhaps to bring by giving him a death-blow before her eyes. I crept away, gained the street, and sought the my pardon. " As the words left his lips he sprang upright. nearest guard-house, warned the officer that a man, of whom they were in search, was in the "They come !" he whispered-"there !" Again I saw the blue cloud form -separatedwelling I had left. A party of men sallied out at once, and I followed . I heard Margharetta's the outlines of human figures shaped themselves shrieks, saw the young man dragged forth ; and, under the veil. "Margharetta !" cried Barstow. "She smiles starting forward, I cried out, ' It is I did this, -she beckons-he consents. I am forgivenwoman-this is my revenge !' "With a cry she fell senseless upon the I can die at last !" He fell back upon the couch. I could not ground; the prisoner turned upon me like a tiger, but he was overpowered and carried move-could only watch that dim cloud apaway. There I stood until Margharetta cameproaching nearer and nearer. The door opened. to her senses, never, never approaching her. I heard my wife's voice in a cry of fear and She raised herself and saw me standing there. agony-heard her fall heavily upon the floor. 'God forgive you , ' she groaned, ' you have mur- Then the cloud swept nearer and nearer the dered my brother !' couch till it hovered over Barstow. I heard a "It was true. It was her brother whom I had low sigh ; and when I looked again the phandoomed in my frenzy, and she had not dared toms had disappeared, and Evan Barstow was hint, even to me, the knowledge of his presence dead. I took my wife away from the house, and there. Nothing availed- no tidings could be gained of the prisoner. Three days after Mar- three days after Barstow was buried. She was gharetta died, forgiving me with her last breath . raving for weeks in a brain fever, and years "For months I lingered in Naples little less elapsed before she recovered from the shock of than mad. At last I discovered the prison in those nights. As for myself, my hair the next which Lusini was confined. I believed myself morning was iron gray, just as you see it now.
É EN DÉ
DE DÉ
V
